Country Served:

New Hebrides Islands

Dates:

1824-1907

Famous Quote:

“My father walked with God, Why may not I?”

Major Influence:

He persevered to reach a cannibalistic people that did not know Christ.

Short Story:

       John G. Paton, the “Saint John of the New Hebrides”, was born near Dumfries, Scotland. He grew up in a good Christian home and later stated, “ My father walked with God, why may not I?”

       Later he left home to study medicine and theology in Glasgow. Not long after, he became a missionary to the poor in the slums of Glasgow. The work was discouraging, but during ten years of faithful labor, Paton won many to Christ, including eight boys who later became ministers.

       When John Paton was about 30 years of age he answered the call to go to the New Hebrides islands,  and soon he and his new bride were on their way to the South Pacific in spite of the news that the previous missionaries had been murdered and eaten by cannibals.

        The Patons settled on the island of Tanna and began their ministry. While there, his wife and infant son contracted a tropical fever and died.  Even with this great difficulty John did not give up on these people. After 7 years, not seeing much fruit, he went to gather more workers. He was able to gather 7 missionaries to help him when he returned.    

        Upon return he went  to the island of Aniwa, Paton built a home, a mission headquarters, two orphanages, a church, and a schoolhouse, and after many years of patient ministry, the entire island professed Christianity. In 1899 he saw his Aniwa New Testament printed and missionaries on twenty-five of the thirty islands of the New Hebrides. He went to be with the Lord in 1907. When John Paton died there were hundreds of missionaries working amongst a people that once refused to listen to him.

         This final quote was taken from Mrs. Paton when she died giving birth within the first few years of ministry:

“ I do not regret leaving home and friends. If I had it do to

over, I would do it with more pleasure, yes, with all my heart.”

Miss Mary Anne Robson Paton

Written and Prepared by Jon Allinson 2002